There are nights when you walk into a venue knowing you’re about to see a good gig, and then there are nights when you walk out realising you’ve witnessed a band levelling up in real time. The Molotovs’ sold‑out appearance at Exeter’s Cavern was firmly the latter, a sweat‑soaked, high‑velocity reminder that there are still bands out there capable of impressing and surprising you. Their ascent has been one of the most exciting stories in British guitar music over the past few years. Formed in the early 2020s by London siblings Matthew and Issey Cartlidge, they built their following through guerrilla gigs, relentless energy, and a mod‑punk bite sharp enough to cut through any noise. Their signing to Marshall Records and the release of debut single More More More simply confirmed what their early fans already knew.

Then came 2024: a support slot with the Sex Pistols (fronted by Frank Carter), festival appearances, international showcases, and a reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts of their generation. Tonight’s Cavern show felt like another milestone — the moment where “ones to watch” quietly becomes “you must see this band before they explode”. Arriving early to interview support band Die Twice, I was treated to a rare sight: The Molotovs casually ripping through an impromptu ‘VIP’ soundcheck to a couple dozen early birds. Their choices? A swaggering Kinky Afro, a joyous Heatwave, and, after a fan question about Bowie’s 10‑year commemoration, a cracking run‑through of Rebel Rebel. Armed with their trademark Rickenbackers, they even dropped an Elvis Costello classic for good measure.

By 7:45pm the Cavern was rammed, and Brighton four‑piece Die Twice took full advantage. Their set swung from cinematic, fuzz‑drenched soundscapes to funk‑driven stompers without ever losing cohesion — think Radiohead‑esque atmospherics meeting a gritty, modern edge, but never derivative. Each member played like a limb of the same body: drums and bass locked in tight, guitars weaving between melody and menace. They’re not big on social media, preferring word‑of‑mouth to do the heavy lifting, and judging by their sold‑out Phoenix show before Christmas, it’s working. With only a couple of tracks released so far, they’re a band on the cusp — and Issey from The Molotovs inviting them personally to open tonight speaks volumes.

Setlist

Die Twice

Princess

Talareno

Evelyn

Bonita

Easy on the Blow

Walk Boy

Paris

Art of Dying

From the moment The Molotovs launched into opener Urbia, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a gentle Sunday wind‑down. This was a full‑throttle, sweat‑dripping, adrenaline‑spiked set that blew away any lingering weekend lethargy. Issey’s bass‑strap malfunction during Newsflash — which saw her sit on the stage, mic stand dragged down with her — only added to the chaos in the best possible way. Covers of Suffragette City and the earlier Rebel Rebel nodded to their recent Bowie tribute session in France, while originals like Wasting My Time had the room chanting like it was a Saturday terrace anthem. Matthew even requested a beer mid‑song — and, in true Cavern fashion, one materialised before the final chorus.

The set was relentless: mod‑inspired cuts, punk urgency, and a sense of purpose that never dipped. Their debut single More More More triggered the biggest reaction of the night, the crowd bouncing as if the floor itself had turned into a trampoline. A broken high E string forced Matthew to swap his beloved Rickenbacker for his red Gibson SG, which he swung around like it was an extension of his own arm. The Ricky returned, restrung, before the song even ended — that guitar tech’s a keeper! They closed the main set with Come On Now, lifted from their forthcoming debut album Wasted on Youth (out Jan 30), with Matthew urging fans to pre‑order to help them chart.

The encore opened with a drum solo before launching into new single Get a Life, a garage‑rock, mod‑punk banger destined to become a live favourite. After the show, The Molotovs stayed behind to chat, sign merch, and pose for selfies — a reminder that beneath the swagger and stagecraft are three musicians who genuinely care about the community forming around them. If tonight proved anything, it’s that The Molotovs are no one‑trick ponies. Their sound may nod to the early 80s, but the energy is unmistakably now: fresh, vital, and absolutely necessary.

2026 feels like the year they break into the mainstream, and if they do, nights like this at the Cavern will be the ones people brag about having witnessed along with my favourite phrase of all, “I prefer their earlier stuff!”

Setlist

Urbia

Newsflash

Suffragette City

Today’s Gonna Be Our Day

Geraldine

Wasted on Youth

Wasting My Time

My Metallic Wife

Johnny Don’t Be Scared

Is There Any Hope?

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